Eagles lay claim to two-OT instant classic over No. 16/18 Bears
February 1, 2025

Eagles lay claim to two-OT instant classic over No. 16/18 Bears

HICKORY, N.C. – In a game that featured 11 ties and 12 lead changes, Carson-Newman (16-7, 11-6 South Atlantic Conference) got three free throws from Trey Hubbard (Charlotte, N.C.) with 1.7 seconds to go to finish off No. 16/18 Lenoir-Rhyne (17-4, 14-3 SAC) in a double-OT instant classic 114-111 Saturday evening in Shuford Arena. 

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HICKORY, N.C. – In a game that featured 11 ties and 12 lead changes, Carson-Newman (16-7, 11-6 South Atlantic Conference) got three free throws from Trey Hubbard (Charlotte, N.C.) with 1.7 seconds to go to finish off No. 16/18 Lenoir-Rhyne (17-4, 14-3 SAC) in a double-OT instant classic 114-111 Saturday evening in Shuford Arena. 

The win halts the SAC's longest active win streak at five games, gives C-N a ninth consecutive win over the Bears and gives C-N its fourth win of the season over a nationally-ranked foe.

Carson-Newman also becomes the first team this season to beat the Bears inside Shuford Arena, snapping L-R's nine-game home winning streak – the 13th longest active streak in the nation. 

"I actually feel incredibly calm after this one," head coach Chuck Benson said. "Everyone on our team had great poise.  This might have been the best game in this state today (referring to Duke/UNC). If you were here in this gym today, you got your money's worth. I'm as proud of these guys and this team as I have been in a long time.  This was going to be an incredibly difficult challenge today, and our guys rose to that occasion over and over again." 

The game was the first double overtime affair C-N has played since Jan. 24, 2015. The Eagles won that day 101-92 at Newberry.  The two overtime sessions came as a result of clutch LR buckets. 

Julian Dozier got a fast break layup with 0.7 seconds left in regulation to force overtime after a missed Keliese Frye (Newport, Ky.) free throw.  The bucket tied the game at 75.

C-N jumped ahead in the first overtime, bouncing out to an 90-82 lead after an 11-2 run and back-to-back threes from John Zhao (Sevierville, Tenn.) and Nick Brenegan (Greenville, S.C.). 

However, L-R wouldn't go quietly scoring 10 of the next 13 points to get within a point with 23 seconds left.  C-N hit four free throws sandwiched around another Dozier layup to hold a three-point lead, 97-94 with five seconds left. 

Carson-Newman fouled to prevent a three from tying the game.  Dozier buried the first free throw and intentionally missed the second.  After one failed put back, Zyaire Wells tipped in the second with 1.7 seconds to go to force a second OT with the teams tied 97-97.

The 22 points a piece and 44 points total made that first overtime the second-highest scoring overtime period in NCAA Division II history behind 48 points combined between Southeastern Oklahoma and Harding on Feb. 23, 2017. 

"Our guys did a really good job of staying focused on what we asked them to stay focus on," Benson said. "We have to continue to stay focused on certain things in a really intentional, purposeful way. This was as clean as a focus on some things that we are trying to get better at.  Our guys stepped up today in an incredible environment.  This is certainly in there for the all-time classics."

C-N seized control early in the second OT session with a 6-0 run.  A Brenegan triple sparked it before three straight free throws finished it to give C-N a 107-103 edge with 94 seconds left in the second bonus session. 

LR was able to force two backcourt turnovers, connecting on three free throws in the final 20 seconds to knot the game at 111.  Gabe Cerda went 1-for-2 at the line with an opportunity to give the Bears the lead with seven seconds left. 

With the game tied, Hubbard jetted into the left corner, pumped, drew contact and hoisted up a three resulting in a whistle and a trio of freebies that got C-N the 114-111. 

C-N outscored L-R 39-36 in the bonus 10 minutes of basketball.  It is the seventh game in school history where both teams scored more than 110 points.

Hubbard was on another level.  He matched his career high for points with 30 and reset his career high for rebounds with 11.  He was two assists away from the fifth triple-double in school history with eight.  He also had four steals. 

"This win does not happen without Trey Hubbard," Benson said. "I have to give him all the love.  His play speaks for itself. Man, am I happy for trey. He was locked in and focused and did what we needed him to do." 

Hubbard was 9-of-19 from the field and 1-of-3 from deep.  He connected on 11-of-12 free throws. His 30-point, 11-rebound double-double was the fourth of his career. 

John Zhao became the programs 23rd 1,300-point scorer with a 26-point night.  He also moved past assistant coach Luke Brenegan and into the top five all-time in career threes made.  Zhao has 224 for his career. 

All five starters finished in double-digits.  Jack Browder had his 18th career double-double with 18 points and 10 boards. He also handed out a season-high five assists. 

Brenegan had 19 points, going 6-for-9 from deep.  He joins three other Eagles as players with 250 threes in a career. 

Braden Ilic (Morristown, Tenn.) rounded out C-N's quintet of double-digit scorers with 10 points. He also had seven boards and four assists.

The Bears battled through foul trouble on the day.  Dozier, Sam Martin and Jacob Hodnett all fouled out creating some unusual fivesomes on the floor for the Bears especially late. 

Wells reset his career high with 33 points.  He was 14-of-25 from the field.  Tay Smith also reset his career high with 27 on 11-of-17 shooting.

Hantz Louis-Jeune and Dozier both had 19.  Dozier had a double-double with 10 assists as well. 

The bonkers close obfuscated the fact that Carson-Newman rallied from a 12-point second-half deficit. The Eagles have come back from back-to-back double-digit deficits. 

This is the first game in four years Carson-Newman won when trailing with under five minutes to go in regulation.  It marked the third game C-N has won this season when trailing at the half. 

C-N only shot 38.7 percent from the field in the first half, but turned it up after halftime. 

The Eagles shot 60.7 percent from the field in the second half and went 10-of-12 from the field in the two overtime sessions.  C-N was 11-of-18 from deep over the final 30 minutes of the game.

C-N did turn the ball over 21 times, compared to just nine for the Bears.  C-N was able to overcome a 31-5 edge for the Bears in points off turnovers. 

After being outrebounded by 12 by the Bears in the first meeting, C-N owned a 48-44 edge on the class in meeting number two. 

"As good as I thought they were in November, they are much better now," Benson said. "That is an NCAA tournament team for sure, that is a team that could host a regional here.  They played inspired and hungry.  It really is a shame anyone had to lose today because I have a lot of respect for what Brent Owen has done in a short amount of time.  I say all that, I have to give my guys credit to.  Our guys were equally determined and we are fortunate and blessed that we leave here with the outcome that we preferred." 

Carson-Newman returns him Wednesday night to take on Mars Hill at 7:30 p.m. Coverage on the Eagle Sports Network begins at 7:15 with the AEC Countdown to Tipoff on Mix 105.5 (WSEV-FM, Sevierville) and online at cneagles.com/live.  A video stream can be found with a subscription to FloSports at cneagles.com/FloMbb.

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